Herzog & de Meuron looking to develop Chelsea FC stadium

Herzog & de Meuron looking to develop Chelsea FC stadium

Architect firm Herzog & de Meuron is believed to be working on a project to increase the size of English Premiership club Chelsea FC’s London stadium.

The Swiss company is said to be looking into concept designs for the potential revamp of the club’s existing 41,837-seat home in west London.

Last summer Chelsea announced it had commissioned a study to review options to increase its size which could include decking over the railway line to the east and the north of the stadium and had launched consultation on the extent of the plans.

The club – currently top of the English Premier League had previously looked at several new locations including Earls Court Exhibition Centre, White City and Battersea Power Station south of the Thames. However planning permission was not forthcoming and an agreement with supporters states that any move away from Stamford Bridge has to result in a club name change.

A statement released by the club said: “A study of the area from Fulham Broadway town centre to Stamford Bridge and beyond has been commissioned by Chelsea Football Club’s owner Roman Abramovich.

“This study will review the potential for improvements to publicly-owned areas along Fulham Road and the area around the football ground, including the possibility of decking over the railway lines to the east and north of the ground. This could create landscaped public walkways and cycleways, while also reducing pedestrian traffic on Fulham Road and nearby streets on match days.

“The study will also assess the feasibility of an expansion of the stadium within the existing historic site boundaries, potentially to enlarge its capacity, enhance its facilities and improve the movement of people and vehicles on match and non-matchdays.”